R&B Christmas Concert Review: A Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
